US Marine Corps F-35B

The
arrival of the USMC F-35B will be of most interest to both the public and
British delegations at RIAT 2016 as both the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy
will be receiving the 'B' model.

The
first units to receive their F-35Bs will be the RAF's No. 617 Squadron and the
Fleet Air Arm's 809 NAS, intended to replace the Tornado GR4 and the Harrier
GR9 (which was retired in 2010).

The
F-35B is the short take off/vertical landing (STOVL) variant and will be
operated from the Royal Navy's new aircraft carriers, as well as having the
ability to operate from austere airbases.

The
aircraft's STOVL capability is provided by a Rolls-Royce system that swivels
thrust 90 degrees, supported by new fan technology. Air-to-air refuelling is
achieved through the probe and drogue method, compatible with the RAF's Voyager
tanker fleet.

The
aircraft displaying at RIAT 2016 are a mixed team, coming either from VMFAT 501,
MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina, or VMX1, Edwards Air Force Base, California.